What makes Kevin Stefanski a good head coach candidate?
With Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski looking to be on the search for a head coaching job, here is what makes him a good candidate.
The Minnesota Vikings could be on the search for a new offensive coordinator during the 2020 offseason. According to multiple reports, Vikings offensive coordinator Kevin Stefanski could be on the move as he is viewed as a finalist for the vacant Cleveland Browns head coaching position.
On Thursday, a few days ahead of the Vikings’ matchup against the San Francisco 49ers in the Divisional Round of the 2020 NFL Playoffs, the Browns confirmed those reports when they announced that they interviewed Stefanski for the open job. The Browns are once again on the search for a new head coach going into the 2020 campaign after the organization fired previous head coach Freddie Kitchens after one season at the helm.
Stefanski, who has spent a total of 14 seasons in Minnesota in a few different positions on the team, was reportedly a finalist for the Browns job in the 2019 offseason and interviewed for the job twice. Some in Cleveland preferred Stefanski then over Kitchens.
More from NFL Spin Zone
- Dallas Cowboys made the trade everyone else should have made
- Pittsburgh Steelers rookie sleeper everyone should be talking about
- Anthony Richardson putting jaw-dropping talent on display immediately
- Denver Broncos’ stud wide receiver might be out for a while
- Washington Commanders: Three takeaways from win over Ravens
The Browns said on the team’s official website that Stefanski would be the seventh candidate to interview for the coaching position in Cleveland.
The previous interviews including former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy (who has since been hired as the head coach of the Cowboys), Ravens offensive coordinator Greg Roman, Chiefs offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz.
The 37-year old Stefanski is the longest-tenured coach on the Vikings staff, having spent time as an assistant under a total of three head coaches in Minnesota. But with him possibly heading to Cleveland, what makes him a quality NFL head coaching candidate?
In his first full season as offensive coordinator of the Vikings in 2019, Stefanski led a fairly balanced and impressive offensive unit in Minnesota. Quarterback Kirk Cousins, running back Dalvin Cook and the wide receiving duo of Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen headlined the coach’s group.
Throughout the regular season, Stefanski orchestrated an offense that ranked eighth in the league in points per game with 25.4 a contest. In the running game, the Vikings ranked sixth with 133.3 yards on the ground on average, while helping Cousins tally a passer rating of 107.4 (fourth-best in the NFL) along with 26 passing touchdowns and a total of just six interceptions.
With an offense that has the firepower and personnel that Minnesota currently has, Stefanski has done a nice job in helping the Vikings return to the postseason this year while now hoping to continue an underdog run in the playoffs this weekend in the Divisional Round.
Next. NFL Playoffs: 20 Bold predictions for Divisional Round. dark
But by the time the season ends, whenever that indeed comes for Minnesota, Stefanski could see himself heading elsewhere to become the new head coach of a different organization. Based solely on his performance in orchestrating the Vikings offense the way he has throughout the season, he has certainly earned the right to be considered for a head coaching position to try and take the next step in his coaching career.